Get Involved in PLASTIC Coalition

REFUSE

Say NO to single use and disposable plastics (S.U.P.s) like plastic bags, bottles, straws, cups, plates, and silverware. Download the complete list. Then, take S.U.P.E.R Hero Pledge and visit our Start page for some easy alternatives.

You can learn tips about plastic free living from blogger Beth Terry on her site FakePlasticFish.

Be Aware

Be aware… and beware! There are many misconceptions and pitfalls that plague the discussion on plastic pollution. Take a few minutes to read through our Learn page. Plastic pollution is an emerging environmental problem and those of us who are aware of it have the responsibility to become ambassadors of the cause.

Volunteer

We need your passion, talents and energy! If you are interested click here.

Spread The Word

Send your friends to our site, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, and retweet, facebook-wall, and blog about us -and about our member organizations. Join the Facebook group cause Stop Plastic Pollution and be informed about activities in your community.

Support Our Work

Please donate money or talent to us and/or to our member organizations.

Become a Citizen Activist

Ultimately, the solutions will involve the international cooperation of citizens, scientists, governments and businesses. But it all begins with each individual being informed, and then being politically and socially active in our individual communities.

With your generous donations we are building lots of cool campaigns and actions. Stay tuned to learn about opportunities to take specific action to solve the plastic pollution plague… or start your own if you cannot wait.

These actions may come in the form of:

* write letters of support for legislation

* initiate legislation in your community to address plastic pollution

* participate in awareness campaigns

* return plastic packaging at the store, when you exit with your purchases

* request a reduction in the use of disposable plastics in companies, schools, events, and other venues and organizations

* make sustainable consumer choices and encouraging others to do so

* contribute funds, skills and time to grassroots efforts to shift our societies to sustainable solutions

* contribute a voice to the growing citizen call for a world that places health and the environment ahead of thoughtless manufacturing, packaging and consuming in the name of “convenience” or profit.

Avoid Plastics

Get Started

Some of the most common single use and disposable plastic objects are also the most ubiquitous – plastic bottles, straws, cups, food containers, plastic bags, lighters, toothbrushes. Here are some tips on how to avoid them. For a more complete list scroll down.

1. Water

* Bring a stainless steel water bottle rather than drinking water out of disposable plastic bottles. Purchase our cool water bottle in red, stainless steel or black at BuyGreen or grab one at just about any store. Just make sure it is not aluminum.

* Don’t have your stainless steel bottle with you? Buy a glass-bottled drink. When you finish that beverage, reuse the bottle.

2. Bring Your Own Bag

Always bring your own bags whenever you shop, not just for the supermarket. By bringing your own bag, you alone can save between 400 and 600 plastic bags per year.

There are lots of cool tote bag companies out there. Just a few of the bags we like:

* Citizenlove - designs by our co-founder Dianna Cohen

* Envirosax – very popular in Europe

* Chico bags – wonderful, small and easy to carry around in lots of colors

3. Straws

Consider some easy alternatives to the ubiquitous plastic straws.

* Carry your own stainless steel straw.

* Use an elegant glass straw in one of many sizes and designs

4. To Go Cups

Bring your own ceramic or stainless steel mug. Carry one in your car. Some coffee shops will even reward your thoughtfulness with a small discount on coffee or tea.

5. To Go Food Containers

Whether you prepare school lunch, order takeout or go out to eat, take along your own reusable containers. Some of the sites where you can purchase one:

* Lunchbots

* PlanetBox

* Life Without Plastic

* To-Go Ware

6. To Go Utensils

Bring along a bamboo utensil set, add a straw and you are all set! You can purchase sets online at To-Go Ware.

7. Lighters

Rather than buy plastic throw-away lighters, consider investing in a refillable multi-use lighters. The oceans of the world and the albatross chicks who are fed these from out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean will thank you.

8. Milk

Buy your milk in a glass returnable, reusable bottle…old fashion, but tastes great and is better for you. Many health food markets and farmers markets carry milk in glass bottles.

9. Choose Paper to Wrap

Wax paper is an excellent substitute to the ubiquitous stretch plastic we have been told is essential for cooking and preserving foods. Choose wax paper to wrap sandwiches, place on top of foods warmed up in the microwave, or when storing food in the fridge. Yes, it does not stick to foods like plastic – that’s exactly what’s good about it!

10. Ready to do more?

Conserve Energy

1. Turn off the lights. Simple as that sounds, turning off lights and other electrical appliances when you leave the room can save you hundreds of dollars and literally tons of carbon emissions each year.

2.Contact your local electricity supplier to see if you qualify for an energy audit. If your electric usage is high enough, your utility company will pay to have an energy auditor examine your home and make recommendations on things you can do to improve your energy efficiency. You may even qualify for free bulbs, faucet heads and rebates on new appliances to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

3.Switch to fluorescent bulbs. Today's compact fluorescent bulbs cast much nicer light than those glaring tube fluorescent lights you may have had in school when you were younger. And CFCs, as compact fluorescent bulbs are known, consume a fraction of the energy that traditional incandescent bulbs do, slashing your energy bill. Many utility companies offer rebates on the bulbs, too, saving you even more money.

4. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater. Whether you heat your water using electricity, oil or gas, lowering the temperature on your water heater a few degrees will inevitably save you money on your energy bills. Experts recommend setting your water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This promotes energy conservation and prevents burns.

5. Hang your clothes out to dry. It'll conserve energy, cut pollution, save you money and your clothes will smell better.

6. Buy Energy Star appliances. Energy Star appliances use at least 10 percent less energy than regular appliances, plus many utilities offer rebates of $50 to as much as $250 if you replace an old appliance with an Energy Star appliance. Refrigerators are the biggest energy hogs, so you'll conserve the most energy starting there.

Read more: How to Conserve Energy | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2082819_conserve-energy.html#ixzz1392gxPoJ

Save our planet

Dianna Cohen is the co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a group that addresses the pervasive problem of plastic pollution. She was inspired to co-found the group by her work as an artist -- because her chosen material is the ubiquitous plastic bag. She writes: "Having worked with the plastic bag as my primary material for the past fifteen years, all of the obvious references to recycling, first-world culture, class, high and low art give way to an almost formal process which reflects the unique flexibility of the medium."

With the Plastic Pollution Coalition, she helps to raise awareness of ocean waste -- the majority of which is nondegradable plastic -- and everyday strategies to cut down the amount of plastic we use and throw away.
 Artist Dianna Cohen shares some tough truths about plastic pollution in the ocean and in our lives -- and some thoughts on how to free ourselves from the plastic gyre.

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43 Things a girl wished her guy knew

43 Things a girl wished her guy knew

#1 When you break her heart, the pain never really goes away.

#2 When she misses you, she’s hurting inside.

#3 When she says it’s over, she still wants you to be hers.

#4 When she walks away from you mad, follow her.

#5 When she stares at your mouth, kiss her.

#6 When she pushes or hits you, grab her tight & don’t let her go.

#7 When she starts cursing at you, kiss her and tell her you love her.

#8 When she ignores you, give her your attention.

#9 When she pulls away, pull her back.

#10 When you see her at her worst, tell her she’s beautiful.

#11 When you see her crying, just hold her and don’t say a word.

#12 When you see her walking, sneak up and hug her waist from behind.

#13 When she’s scared, protect her.

#14 When she lays her head on your shoulder, tilt her head up and kiss her.

#15 When she steals your favourite jacket, let her keep it and sleep with it for a night.

#16 When she teases you, tease her back and make her laugh.

#17 When she doesn’t answer for a long time, reassure her that everything is okay.

#18 When she looks at you with doubt, back yourself up with the truth.

#19 When she says that she likes you, she really does more than you could understand.

#20 When she grabs your hands, hold hers and play with her fingers.

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#21 When she bumps into you, bump into her back and make her laugh.

#22 When she tells you a secret, keep it safe and untold.

#23 When she looks at you in your eyes, don’t look away until she does.

#24 Stay on the phone with her even if she’s not saying anything.

#25 Don’t let her have the last word.

#26 Don’t call her hot, but gorgeous or beautiful is so much better.

#27 Say you love her more than she could ever love you.

#28 Argue that she is the best girl ever.

#29 When she’s mad, hug her tight and don’t let go.

#30 When she says she’s OK, don’t believe it, talk to

her about it, because 10 yrs later she’ll still remember it.

#31 Call her at 12:00am on special occasions to tell her you love her.

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#32 Call her before you sleep and after you wake up.

#33 Treat her like she’s all that matters to you.

#34 Don’t ignore her when she’s out with you and your friends.

#35 Stay up all night with her when she’s sick.

#36 Watch her favorite movie with her or her favorite show even if you think its stupid.

#37 Let her into your world.

#38 Let her wear your clothes.

#39 When she’s bored and sad, hang out with her

#40 Let her know she’s important.

#41 Kiss her in the pouring rain.

#42 When she runs up at you crying, the first thing you say is; “Who’s ass am I kicking today baby?”

#43 After she reads this, she hopes one day you’d read it too.

How to Say I Love You Without Words

Saying the words "I love you" is just one way to express love. Here are some non-verbal ways to get the message across.

1. Be fully present. The greatest way to let a person know that you love them is to give your undivided attention, and to be fully present when they're around. Put away the never-ending work, put aside the hobby, turn off the TV, and find time to spend together, just being.

2. Make your loved one laugh. When you love someone, you love seeing them happy, and nothing exhibits happiness like genuine laughter. So, be laid back, lighthearted, and playful. See how many times in one day you can make the person smile or laugh. It's especially great to try and make someone laugh when they're not supposed to laugh.

3. Give handmade gifts. You don't have to wait until a holiday or birthday comes up in order to make handmade gifts.

4. Give that special someone a massage. Nothing spells out luxury and intimacy like a generous massage.

5. Connect from afar. Wherever you are, whether at the dinner table seated opposite one another, or across the auditorium, try to connect and send one another love. Blow kisses, play footsie, smile knowingly, or wink!

6. Be a good listener. When you sincerely listen to someone, you're not only opening your ears, but you're also opening your heart. By empathizing, you will strengthen your connection and deepen your love.

7. Hug. A hug speaks more than words ever could. It says "I love you" as well as letting the person receiving the hug know that you care and support them.

8. Avoid taking a transactional view of love. Don't get angry if the person doesn't "do it back". It may take some time for your mate to recognize that you're expressing love. But they will. In the meantime, practice unconditional love.

Observe Holy Week - Good Friday

'Good Friday, also called Holy Friday, Black Friday, Great Friday, is a holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, his death at Calvary, and his Resurrection from the grave [he is risen]. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and often coincides with the Jewish observance of Passover.

Based on the scriptural details[citation needed] of the Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus, the Crucifixion of Jesus was most probably on a Friday. The estimated year of Good Friday is AD 33, by two different groups, and originally as AD 34 by Isaac Newton via the differences between the Biblical and Julian calendars and the crescent of the moon.[1][2][3][4][5][6] A third method, using a completely different astronomical approach based on a lunar Crucifixion darkness and eclipse model (consistent with Apostle Peter's reference to a "moon of blood" in Acts 2:20) arrives at the same date, namely Friday April 3, AD 33.[7][8]

In the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines, the day is commemorated with street processions, the Way of the Cross, and a Passion play called the Senakulo. The Church keeps the day solemn by not tolling the church bells, and no Mass will be celebrated. In some communities throughout the country (most notably in the island province of Marinduque or in the San Fernando, Pampanga), the processions include devotees (termed Moriones) who self-flagellate and sometimes even have themselves nailed to crosses as expressions of penance despite health issues and strong disapproval from the Church.[29] After three o'clock in the afternoon of Good Friday (the time at which Jesus is traditionally believed to have died), noise is discouraged, some radio and television stations sign off, businesses close, and the faithful are urged to keep a very solemn and prayerful disposition through to Easter Sunday. Yet other television networks are still on air making way for some religious programming related to the solemn celebration.

In Cebu and other Visayan Islands the locals usually eat Binignit and Biko as a form of fasting. The elders also discourage taking a bath after 3 o'clock on Good Friday.[citation needed]

Major television networks such as SVD Communication Ministry, and the Dominican Fathers of the Philippines, and others broadcast events at Roman Catholic parishes . These events include the reading of the Seven Last Words, the recitation of the Stations of the Cross, and the service of the Commemoration of the Lord's Passion.[citation needed]

from wikipedia

Observe Holy Week - Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, known officially in the Catholic Church as Holy Thursday, is the Thursday of Holy Week. Maundy Thursday commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist was instituted during the Last Supper, the final meal that Jesus shared with His disciples before he was crucified. 

Maundy Thursday also celebrates the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, events that took place on the night before Jesus' crucifixion. The Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday begins the Triduum, which is the three-day celebration of the heart of the Christian faith: Christ's death and resurrection. It starts on the evening of Holy Thursday and concludes with the Evening Prayer (Vespers) of Easter. Thus the Triduum includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and reaches it high point at the Great Easter Vigil.

The word Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means "commandment." At the Last Supper, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). Prior to breaking the bread with the disciples, Jesus washed their feet. Maundy Thursday worship services include Holy Communion and sometimes foot washing as well.

Various traditions and customs are associated with Maundy Thursday, including the reciting of the creed by Catechumens from memory, the washing of feet, reconciliation of penitents, and the consecration of holy oil (chrism). Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17). In some churches priests carry out a ceremonial washing of the feet of twelve men on Maundy Thursday as a commemoration of Christ's act.

The modern Western Holy Thursday service has an option for the blessing of chrism and the washing of feet. After the Maundy Thursday evening Mass the altars are stripped, the holy water stoups are emptied, and the Blessed Sacrament is carried through the church in procession to a place of reposition. Traditionally the Pange Lingua is sung during this procession. Perpetual adoration of the blessed sacrament is then encouraged. The consecrated host is then used for Good Friday Masses. 

from wikiPilipinas

Stay Safe During Earthquake

from http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_during.shtm

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

* DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

* Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

* Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

* Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.

* Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

* Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

* DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

* Stay there.

* Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.

* Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

* Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.

* Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

* Do not light a match.

* Do not move about or kick up dust.

* Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

* Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.